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4.04% Sovereign of the Karmic System / Chapter 27: No Need for a Searching Party

บท 27: No Need for a Searching Party

"Hey.. is the tavern still open?.." Daniel asked to the unbelieving crowd of guards. Then, without even waiting for a reply, he walked past them and in the direction of the tavern.

The guard on duty turned towards one of the patrols and said "..Notify the head hunter, now!"

The patrol turned around and ran towards the head hunter's tent.

Five days had passed since Daniel's last meal, and he didn't feel like talking to anyone, at least until he put something in his stomach. He made his way across the base camp's quiet streets, and reached the tavern in just a few minutes.

In front of the head hunter's tent, the patrol was standing politely. "Sir, there are news about the kid you've sent us to look for.."

The tent opened immediately, and inside it, a bare chested man appeared. The half naked man was very large, with well defined muscles, and a few deep scars which marked them in an unmistakable way.

Behind this large man's body was a bed, above which, a naked and flushed woman could be seen laying confusedly. This large man, was the head hunter Kier.

"What about him?! Have you found him?" Kier asked in agitation.

"No sir.. he came back on his own.." Responded the patrol awkwardly. He then composed himself and added "He asked if the tavern was open.. he should be headed there."

The head hunter grabbed a shirt from above his dresser, and put it on messily. He then left his tent and headed towards the tavern.

-----

Daniel entered the tavern in awful conditions. His clothes were a wreck, and in his hand, he carried the decapitated head of the commander scorpion, with knives still stuck in it.

Despite the hour, the tavern was full. Most of the tables were occupied by a large number of people who wore the same type of armor. A full black leather armor with a mountain peak carved in silver on their chest, and left shoulder.

The rest of the tables were occupied by a few hunters, which for some reason, looked intimidated to a point where they keep their tones down. The only empty tables were those immediately next to another isolated table.

At this isolated table, four people were sitting. Two of these four people, were beautiful girls in their late teens whose revealing clothes left little to imagination. The mission of the two girls seemed to be to seduce the man in his early twenties next to whose sides they sat.

This man's clothes were refined and elegant, and were marked with the same silver peak carved on the armors which many people within the bar wore. On his chest, was a golden brooch which had the shape of a pickaxe crossed with a shovel. The hairstyle of this man alone showed a rich upbringing.

The last person, was a rigid looking middle aged man. This middle aged man wore the exact same black leather armor that the rest wore, and long cape of a dark grey color. On the left corner of this cape, a symbol identical to the other man's brooch was sewn in silver, while on the right corner, a silver mountain peak was depicted.

A silver pattern on the edges of his armor pieces, aside from the cape, was the only thing that differentiated this man's armors from the rest.

Daniel slowly approached the counter and asked for any dish that didn't require a long time to prepare. He then walked towards one of the few empty tables, placed the scorpion's heads on it, and sat quietly.

"WHAT'S THIS REEK!?" Shouted the rich young man, now sitting less than two meters away from Daniel.

One of the two girls giggled and responded in a coquettish manner "Young master Jite is right.. such a foul stench!"

The other girl, trying not to be left behind, added immediately "I believe it is the tramp that just sat behind you, Young master Jite" She then giggled, while squeezing her soft peaks together with her arms.

The young master turned around, and noticed Daniel quietly sitting at the table behind him. He immediately got up, but as he was about to make a scene, the middle aged man's voice resounded within his ears. It said only two words "Young master.."

The young master immediately turned to look at the middle aged guard, and as their eyes met, the guard shook his head lightly.

"He is just a brat!" Complained the young master.

The guard sighed and added "That's the head of a rank 4 beast."

"SO WHAT?!" Shouted the young master. "Aren't you a rank 4 warrior?! Kick him out of here!" He then ordered.

The middle aged guard sighed once more, then got up on his feet and approached Daniel's table. "I have to ask you to leave." He said after getting only two meters away from Daniel.

Daniel looked at him, and immediately, he realized that this middle aged guard was no simple goon. Nevertheless, he had no intention of leaving. He had spent too much time without touching food, and even if he didn't feel the passing of time while cultivanting, he still felt the built up hunger when he woke up.

The fact that he hadn't jumped on another person's table to steal their food, was already a miracle.

The guard had no weapons on him, which told Daniel that he probably was a martial artist. He would have usually avoided a fight he had few chances of winning, but this time, Daniel decided to be stubborn.

While looking at the middle aged man, he said "I'm going nowhere until I eat something." He then turned around once more, and kept waiting quietly.

The entire tavern quietened, and every single one of the soldiers in black armor turned to look at Daniel.

The middle aged guard didn't take it personally, he simply added "This camp belongs to the Mining Conglomerate.. My master is the young master of one of the thirteen mining companies of which the conglomerate is composed. Leave while I am still asking."

Daniel ignored the man's warning completely, and kept waiting for his food to arrive.

The middle aged guard raised his arm and tried to grab Daniel's shoulder. He didn't want to fight this kid, but he still had to follow his orders, but as he was about to put his hand over Daniel's shoulder, his cloak suddenly caught fire.

The guard promptly took his cloak off, and watched Daniel with a surprised expression. He was about to say something, but Daniel spoke first.

"Your should be careful around fire.. your armor may not catch fire easily, but can you say the same about your master's robe?.. what is that.. silk?" A faint smile grew on Daniel's face when he reached the end of his sentence.

The rest of the guards rose up to their feet, and grabbed the weapons hanging at their waists.

The middle aged guard reacted by raising his closed fist. This action calmed the numerous soldiers, and forced them to sit back down.

"You don't think that, as a martial artist.. close as we are, I would be able to take you down before you can cast a magic spell?" Said the leader of the young master's guard.

Daniel, grabbed one of the knives stuck inside the Commander Steel-back Scorpion's decapitated head, and pulled it out. He then used 'Through Stone and Steel' to force the knife back into the scorpion's head from another angle. He then said "You can try.."

Quietness reigned within the tavern for a few endless moments.. until..

"HAHAHAHA!" The middle aged guard started laughing out loud "What a funny guy!!.. Peak Body Strengthening and peak Spiritual Connection.." He then sat on a chair at Daniel's table and asked with a smile on his face "How many 'Safe Youth' pills did you take to still look like a 14 years old? Though it's kind of weird.."

Daniel was surprised by radical change within the old guard's behaviour. He couldn't help but smirk and talk back "Talk about weird, a middle aged man that talks like a 14 year old kid.."

"I have a young soul! Hahaha!" Retorted the middle aged guard before starting to laugh once again.

The young master sprung on his feet once more, and started shouting "ARE YOU DONE?! I said to kick him out! NOW!!"

The middle aged guard looked back at his master, then said with a humble yet firm voice "Young master, we should go back to your tent so you can rest. We have to take care of the master's assignment by tomorrow morning."

The few hunters that were talking and eating quietly at the other tables, couldn't help but giggle at the scene.

Humiliating wasn't enough to describe the young master's feelings. His orders had been ignored in public, and if that wasn't enough, he had been sent to sleep by his own bodyguard. That was an unbearable humiliation for him.

As he was about to start yelling at his own guard, he noticed a massive yet messily dressed man entering the tavern. "Mister Kier!" He had found a way to vent his anger, and restore some of his face.. the Head Hunter. "We don't lend our camps to hunters so that they can fill them with trash!" He said out loud while pointing at Daniel.

"I'm sorry young master Jite, but that young man is a member of the huntsmen guild, and you have no authority to order a hunter around." Kier retorted immediately.

This wasn't the first time that Kier had to handle one of the young masters of the thirteen mining companies. The thirteen companies owned all the mines situated in the canyons that the Huntsmen Guild were tasked to clear, so every now and then, one or two would appear during the hunting season, and act all high and mighty against a few hunters.

The young master's face turned purple in rage. He sent a deadly look at Daniel, and turned to face his bodyguard. "Let's go!" He barked through his gritted teeth. He then stormed out the tavern in large steps.

The middle aged guard followed the young master, and behind him, the rest of the guards.

After the young master left, Kier approached Daniel's table, and sat on one of the chairs.

"You're Dan Hiel, right?" He asked, almost too politely.

Daniel looked back at him and nodded.

"I'm Kier, the hunter assigned as head hunter of this Steel-back Scorpion's hunting season." In the five days that Daniel had been absent, Kier had received various communications from Phyrri's huntsmen guild branch. He had been requested to conduct a search party to find the disappeared member of a hunting party.

At first, Kier had believed that this young man was simply the son of one of the high ranking hunters, but after he reported his failed attempts in to find him, he had learned that the request came from two external powers. One came from the Golden Cauldron's upper echelons, while the other, was none other than the previous Master at arms of the Karalis kingdom.

This information, at the time, had left him shaking in his boots.

"You're not here to ask me to leave the tavern, right? I'm starving." Said Daniel, before looking at the rank 4 scorpion's skull and adding "Do you think I can pay with this?"

Kier smirked, and then said "There is no need, your party members left your part of the pay with me.." He then looked at the decapitated head above the table, and added "I'll also give you the bounty for the rank 4 scorpion that the guild gave me as a reward for the incoming rank 4 hunters."

"Is the rest of my party fine?" Asked Daniel.

Kier's impression of Daniel increased exponentially after he heard him mention his teammates "The mage left right away, the old man should still be around and the others left at some point during these past 5 days"

Daniel's eyes opened in surprise, and then asked "Five days?.. Is that how long i've been gone?"


ความคิดของผู้สร้าง
SometimesITalk SometimesITalk

Chapter 27 here! Thanks for checking out my work.

If you are liking the novel, and have a spare power stone, drop it here, I won't mind it.

บท 28: Background Developments

"What do you mean?" Asked Kier curiously.

After Daniel realized what he had just asked, he explained himself. "I've explored the caverns underneath the canyons, I wasn't really aware of the time.."

Kier's eyebrows arched slightly "Ah, that's what happened. Your party members said there were two beasts battling.. What happened to them?.. Well, to the other one at least"

"The two beasts were grabbing each other when the ground.." Daniel started to tell what had happened the day of their first hunt, of how the two beasts came out of a wall, how they battled fiercely and made the ground collapse, exposing the massive cage underneath it. "I'm not too bad with throwing knives and using a sword.. plus, the scorpion was heavily injured."

Kier was amazed by Daniel's survival ability, and after a minute, with a thoroughly impressed expression on his face, he said "Well, if you want to sell the beast cores to the guild, I can pay for them.. But if you want to keep them, then go ahead. You didn't accept a mission for the hunt of rank 4 beasts anyway, so you have no obligations to hand them over"

At that moment, A robust looking woman appeared next to Daniel's table. In her hands, she held two plates filled with food.

"Can I ask you something?.." Kier asked to Daniel, as he rudely started to scarf food down his throat "How did you manage to get the attention of both the previous Master-at-arms and the vice president of the Golden Cauldron?"

"Coincidence." Said Daniel with his mouth still full. He then swallowed heavily and said "I moved into the Master-at-arms building.. And about the vice leader of the Golden Cauldron.. I guess it's because I saved the mage from bandits."

"HA! Talk about luck.." Exclaimed Kier, once again surprised. "I'll let you eat in peace.. Come find me tomorrow morning and i'll give you your money. Also, i've been asked to send you back home.." Said Kier, right before getting up from his chair and walking out of the tavern.

The moment Kier left the tavern, the majority of the remaining hunters sprung up on their feet and approached Daniel. They occupied the free chairs or crowded around him.

"Hey kiddo, tell us about the battle between the beasts.."

"..How in the hell did you manage get out of that cave?"

"Wanna play those cores in a game of cards? Hehehe"

For the rest of the night, Daniel became the star of the base camp's tavern.

-----

The following day, Daniel woke up on a bed inside of his tent. He washed himself up and put on some fresh clothes. Then sat back on his bed and started to think about his situation..

"It's been almost ten days since i've been home, and i've made enough money for now.. I should go back.. Plus, I have points to spend.. I wonder if the old man would still want me as his student.." On Daniel's face a faint smile grew the moment he thought about how many skills a kingdom's Master-at-arms would have to teach.

With his first thoughts of greed still lingering in his mind, he walked towards Kier's office. Right outside of Kier's office, the beautiful girl that was laying naked on his bed the night prior, was now completely dressed. Her expression was a professional one.

"Dan Hiel?" She asked

"That's me." Replied Daniel.

The woman got up from her chair and walked towards Kier's office. She then opened the door and made a gesture with her arm, inviting Daniel to enter.

Inside his office, Kier was sitting behind his desk. "Dan! Come, sit down." Said Keir.

Daniel entered the office and sat on a chair in front of Kier's desk. Once comfortable, he looked at Kier and asked "Yesterday you said that you've been asked to send me back.. Was it a request from the old man or the vice leader of the Golden Cauldron?"

"Both actually.." Responded Kier. He then started to rummage inside his desk's drawer, until it took a small bag out of it. "Here's your gold and the bounty for the rank 4 beasts. I've selected a few guards that can escort you back to Phyrri."

Daniel was about to get up and leave, but before he could, a thought flashed through his mind. "I have something to do here.. Do you know where I can find someone from the Silver Peak mining company?"

Kier's face turned awkward for a moment "Actually, yes.. But you won't like it.."

"What do you mean?" Asked Daniel confusedly.

With a matter-of-fact tone, Kier answered immediately "Remember the young master who wanted to kick you out of the tavern?.."

"Ah... Fuck." Said Daniel dispiritedly.

Kier couldn't help but ask "Why do you need to talk to someone from the Silver Peak Mining company?"

"I wanted to buy one of their slaves.." Daniel's voice grew more depressed by the word. His hand brushing against his forehead.

Kier started to write something on a piece of paper, and then handed it over to Daniel. "Well, if you want to avoid the guy, go directly to their main base. This is their address within the Learned District.. But I doubt you'll be allowed in." He said.

Daniel kept the piece of paper inside his new shirt and said "Thank you, I owe you one."

Kier smirked and said "I'll collect that debt when one of your favors will be worth something hehe.."

-----

One hour later, Daniel had reached the base camp's border. Waiting for him, was a group of people. Amongst this group of people, was a familiar face.

Wearing his usual mimetic attire, and carrying his usual bunch of throwing spears, Garth sat quietly next to a tree, ignoring the rest of the chatting members of the group.

Most of the group's members were silver rank mercenaries, while the remaining few, had a gold badge hanging from their belts.

"So that fall didn't kill you.. I owe a few copper to the youngster with the weird nose.." Said Garth with a fake disappointed tone.

Daniel looked at him and smiled, he then said "If you thought I was dead, what are you doing still here?".

"Long naps.. Mostly" Responded Garth while smirking.

After a couple more back and forth, the two approached the rest of the group. They then departed for Phyrri.

-----

Phyrri, Master-at-arms hotel

In the lobby, sitting around a table, were the old achemist, and Reila.

Two days had passed since the old master-at-arms and the old alchemist had received the news of Daniel's return. Since then, they had started a sort of competition about who would manage to take him in first.

They were opposites. The Master-at-arms was an expert in all kinds of weapons, and a powerful cultivator at the 7th rank of martial cultivation, while the old alchemist, was a known alchemist, a powerful mage, and a 7th rank spiritual cultivator.

Both of them had learned about Daniel's prodigious talent in cultivation and learning, either by witnessing it themselves or, like in the case of the old alchemist, witnessed from his granddaughter.

Both of these figures had built huge reputations within the Karalis kingdom.

The ways of the master-at-arms had always been honest and direct, while the old alchemist's ways were more cunning and calculative. During their many years of friendship, they had challenged each other more than once, and this time, the challenge regarded gaining a talented disciple.

Naturally, they were more than aware that the decision would depend on Daniel's choice regarding his path of cultivation. Path which the Master-at-arms, was fairly convinced to be martial cultivation. And yet, the old alchemist still tried to put a few fast ones on his old friend. Like befriending Daniel's sister, Reila.

"..had always been a good kid" Said Reila to the old man, with eyes filled with unrelenting pride.

The girl's pride made the old alchemist smile warmly. He had talked to this diffident and sharp teenage girl for the past half an hour, and he had understood one thing. Gaining her trust was a feat.

"I am sure he is, I can't wait to thank him personally for saving my granddaughter's life." The old alchemist finished his tea and added "It was a pleasure talking to such a bright kid, and my apologies for interrupting your studies, i'll leave you to them.. Excuse me"

"You didn't disturb Sir.." Said Reila while smiling politely and blowing gently.

After bidding farewell, the old alchemist left.

-----

Back inside the master-at-arms room, the two old men were sitting and chatting like they often did.

"What a couple of freaks!" Said the old alchemist with an annoyed tone. "I've talked to that girl for half an hour and I know less about that kid than I did before!"

The old master-at-arms clearly enjoyed seeing his old friend in that state. He decided to poke the bear by saying "Oh, she is just protective towards her brother.. Which older sister wouldn't be worried if a suspicious old man started to ask questions about their little brother?.."

"Who's a suspicious old man?! You're one to talk.. Opening a school on your own.. Attracting kids from left and right.. You're the one that they need to be on the lookout for!" Retorted the old alchemist bitterly.

The old master-at-arms didn't take the comment at heart, he instead giggled and went back to sipping his tea.

A look of realization flashed on the old alchemist's face. He then looked at the old master-at-arms and asked him "Didn't the brat come here with two girls?" Who's the other one?"

The faint smile on the hotel owner's face disappeared completely. He stared at his teacup for a full minute, before saying in a low voice "Der's daughter.."

The old alchemist's eyes flashed open. "Are you kidding? How in the hell did she end up in your hotel to begin with?! That's too much of a coincidence." He inquired with an everlasting surprise in his voice.

"She had been taken as a slave.. The brat bought her at an auction, and then freed her before even leaving the building.." Clarified the old master-at-arms.

The old alchemist smirked and said "Smart kid.. He can see the big picture.. Think of who's going to owe him a favor when.. If.. his father will come back.."

"He didn't know who she was when he bought her.." Said the old master-at-arms, correcting his old friend's train of thought.

Once learned the truth, the smile on the old alchemist grew two times larger "The more I hear about this brat, the more I like him! Hehehe"

After the old alchemist's laugh, the two finished their tea in silence.

Two quiet minutes passed before the old alchemist broke the silence by asking "You are keeping her here?.."

"I have to.." Responded the old master-at-arms.

The old alchemist's brows narrowed as he looked at his old friend. "Students of the School of Everlasting Fury will sooner or later make their way here.. You haven't refused anyone since you've taken in the three.. you can't start with them.. it'll look suspicious. What if they send someone who can recognize her?" He asked with a dead serious tone.

The old master-at-arms looked lost for a moment, then, he seemed to have made a decision within his mind. He turned to look at his friend, and said "Nobody touches one of my students."

"You better hope it doesn't come to that.. i've heard that the master of the School of Everlasting Fury has been trying to breakthrough to the eight rank for days now." Said the old alchemist casually, trying to scale back his old friend's resolve to fight it out with his student's old enemy. He then added "Plus, you're not the master-at-arms anymore.. if His Majesty finds out.. he'll never take your side over his."

The room turned quiet once more, and after a few minutes, the first to break the silence, was once again, the old alchemist.

"Where the hell is that brat!? I feel like i've been waiting here forever." The old alchemist complained in a way most would define 'slightly childish'.

"He'll be here by tomorrow." Responded the old master-at-arms.


ความคิดของผู้สร้าง
SometimesITalk SometimesITalk

Here is Chapter 28! Thanks for everyone who took their time to read my work. I really appreciate it.

In the next few days, i'll go back to my first chapters and try and edit them into something more comprehensible.

Enjoy the new chapter, and come back tomorrow for more!

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